Control device for movable thread guide



March Y PF, 3,500,872

. CONTROL DEVICE FOR MOVABLE THREAD GUIDE Filed July 15, 1968 3Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJ INVENTOR MLZ QM ATTORNEY CONTROL DEVICE FOR MOVABLETHREAD GUIDE Filed July 15," 1968 H. HOPF March 17, 1970 3 Sheets-Sheet2 FIGS FIGS

Flea no.

FIG. 6A

INVENTOR f/qus H P r ATTORNEY March 17, 1970 I HOPF 3,500,872

' I CONTROL DEVICE FORMOVABLE THREAD GUIDE Filed July 15, 1968 1 3Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR /A 4/9 Vs F ATTORNEY United States Patent Int.Cl. D03c 13/00 US. Cl. 139--55 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Thepresent invention relates to a control device for movable thread guidedevices such as harnesses of looms which are moved by an associatedrotating eccentric cam with the interposition of an associatedtransmission element, the effective length of which may selectively bechanged and is an improvement of the device shown in said copendingapplication Ser. No. 575,297.

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser.No. 575,297, filed Aug. 26, 1966, now US. Patent No. 3,410,314.

In looms having, for instance, harnesses as thread guiding devices inwhich the movement of the harnesses is effected by cams, it is necessaryto provide a separate cam for each individual harness. Where each weavepattern re quires a separate cam arrangement, with each change of theweave pattern, the entire cam arrangement must be rearranged, which isextremely time-consuming. Furthermore, in most cases when the pattern ischanged, not only must the cams be rearranged, but they must also bereplaced by cams having different cam surfaces.

It is therefore necessary, in order to have the possibility of makingdifferent patterns, to keep in stock a large number of cams providedwith dilferent cam surfaces. Furthermore, it is to be noted that even ifcams with various different cam surfaces are used, the number of designsavailable is limited to the cams in stock.

Looms are also known in which in order to form the weave pattern, theharnesses are moved by dobbies. In this way the disadvantage of thelimited number of possible patterns is eliminated. In order to controlthe dobbies, cards are used which have punched holes, for example, todefine a pattern and which are scanned by feeler pins. This use ofdobbies to control the pattern is, however, relatively time-consumingand hence limits the operating speed of the loom so that its fullcapacity is not utilized.

Where the harness has a high and low position which is directlycontrolled by a transmission element of the type shown in copendingapplication Ser. No. 575,297, which is arranged between the cam and theharness, where the cam turns only one-half turn with each full rotationof the drive shaft of the loom, it is not possible to cause a sequenceof high and low positions in a random pattern. Thus, for example, onlyone rhythm of high and low position can take place where a single cam isemployed. Furthermore, where a high position is repeated several times,a separate locking arrangement is required to retain the harness in itshigh position. Such arrangement necessarily slows down the speed ofoperation of the device and a device of this type is not capable of amultiplicity of random patterns.

The object of the present invention is to provide control devices formovable thread guide means of the type above described which will afforda very high degree of speed in the movement of the thread guide means orharness, according to any desired pattern with relatively simple anreadily controllable mechanism, and without need to mechanically lockthe harness in the high position.

According to the invention this object is obtained by having eachharness controlled by a pair of cam driven transmission elements throughthe intermediary of a lever which is operatively connected to theharness and the ends of which are operatively connected to an associatedtransmission element, the effective length of each transmission elementbeing controllable. Depending on the elfective length of each of thetransmission elements, the motion impulse caused by the rotating camswill not move the "corresponding thread guide or harness at all, or willmove it by a maximum amount, or by one or more intermediate amounts.

In the case of a loom provided with harnesses, this meansthat theharnesses can be moved under the control of the transmission elementsinto a lower shed or an upper shed, or one or more intermediate sheds.In this Way the transmission elements themselves are used to control themovement of the harnesses. It is to be noted that when changing thepattern, no cams need be changed or removed since the movement impulsescoming therefrom are always governed by the effective lengths of thetransmission elements which determines whether the impulses result in achange of harness motion or not.

The transmission element, according to the invention, is a pusher rodhaving a deformable portion and controlled in various manners so thatthe effective length of the rod may be adjusted in accordance with thedesired position of the thread guide means or harness.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the deformableportion is formed by pivoted arms or links which may be moved or bentlaterally outward to change the effective length of the rod.

The extent of the lateral deflection of the pivoted elements determinesthe effective length of the pusher rod.

The mechanism to restrain movement of the deformable portion of the rodcould be incorporated into the pusher rod itself. However, it ispreferred to use an arrangement in which the deformable portion willautomatically bend due to the load acting on the pusher rod, producedbetween the driving cam and the thread guide means or harness and torestrain such bending by a movable stop. The stop which restrains thedeformable portion from bending can be fully mechanical or an electricmagnet can be employed to bring the stop into an active or inactiveposition. The stop can be alternately moved by the electromagnets intoone direction or the other, and preferably movement in one direction iseffected by electrical energization of the magnet while the movement inthe other direction is eifeced by gravity or a pre-tensioned spring.

The pusher rod itself may be of various types and may consistexclusively of a bendable member. However, it is preferable that thedeformable portion be intermediate the ends of the rod so that the rigidend portions can readily be guided in their longitudinal direction.

The drive cams are staggered with respect to each other and preferablytwo cams are associated with a single thread guide device or harnessthrough an associated pusher rod. In this way it is possible to lift theharness by one cam when the other cam is still in the low position. Thecams are preferably arranged staggered apart with uniform spacing, forinstance, in the case of two cams they may preferably be apart from eachother.

The control command for providing a given active length of thetransmission device can be effected by the known control devices forweaving machines. For example, the control command can be recorded onpattern cards, punch cards or the like. These control devices can beused in conventionl manner to open and close electric circuits. Eithersensing fingers can be used or photoelectric cells can be employed. Thecontrol command which in itself consists of a very short pulse can befurther controlled by an adjustable multi-vibrator circuit in order toadjust the length of the pulse.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possibleembodiments of the several features of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a loom harness together with thecontrol mechanism therefor;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 are diagrammatic views showing the control mechanism invarious operating positions;

FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic partial cross section of a loom;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views of another embodiment of theinvention in various operating. positions, and

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 1 of still anotherembodiment of the invention.

It should first be noted that the drawings merely show sufficientmechanism necessary for a clear understanding of the invention;

The type of loom in which the invention can be incorporated couldutilize a shuttle or be a shuttleless loom.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 6A, the control mechanism according to the inventionis shown in connection with a weaving loom of conventional type. Onlyone harness 10 is illustrated although it is understood thatconventional looms have a plurality of harnesses 10 which serve to guidethe thread in conventional manner.

The harness 10 has a series of heddles 11 through the holes or eyes 12of which the warp threads extend in conventional manner to be guidedthereby.

Each harness 10 is reciprocated vertically as indicated by the arrows 13by the control mechanism to be described. Each harness 10 is verticallyguided in parallel slides mounted on the guide 14.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the loom also includes a takeup roller 16 whichtakes up the finished web formed from the warp threads 15'. On the sideof the warp threads 15' there is arranged disc 17 which is rotatablysupported on a vertical shaft. The disc 17' serves in known mannertogether with other generally eccentrically arranged supports to effectmovement of a filling needle (not shown) which carries the fillingthreads. A reed 18' associated with the warp threads operates inconventional manner.

In the normal operation of the loom, the harnesses 10 are moved up anddown according to the desired weave pattern.

As illustratively shown, the loom has a high and low position. In FIG. 1the harness is shown in its low position. All of the harnesses aredriven through a suitable transmission from the drive shaft of the loom,which shaft rotates a pair of eccentric cams 15 and 16 which control anassociated harness 10.

As each harness has its own control mechanism, it will be sufficient forpurposes of understanding the invention, to describe a single controlmechanism such as shown in FIG. 1 for example.

The control mechanism for each harness desirably includes two pusher orlifting mechanisms 17 and 18. The pusher or lifting mechanisms 17 and 18are designed to be adjusted in length to at least two different sizes bythe deformation or kinking of'linked parts. These sizes result incorresponding harness positions, for instance, a low position and a highposition. As will hereinafter be described in detail, the control can beefiected by means of a control device 19 in such manner that all knowntypes and patterns of weave can be created.

As previously stated, the motion impulse of the harnesses is derivedfrom the main drive shaft of the loom and the main drive shaft normallyactuates the two eccentric cams 15, 16 with a reduction ratio of two toone.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, two cam shafts 20 and 21 areprovided, each of which carries an eccentric cam 15 and 16 arrangedapart. The cams 15 and 16 are movable in tracks 22 and 23 in which guiderollers 24, 25 are positioned. The rollers 24, 25 mount lower push rods26, 27 which are positioned in suitable guides or bearings 28 forvertical reciprocation of such push rods.

Pivotally connected to the free end of each of the push rods as at a, isa link 32, 34, each of which is pivotally connected between its ends asat 32', 34 to the corresponding portion of a second link 33, 35, eachpair of links 32, 33 and 34, 35 defining the deformable or flexibleregions 30, 31 respectively.

The free end of each of the links 33, 35 is pivotally connected as at b,to the lower end of an upper push rod 26', 27, the latter being slidablymounted in suitable upper bearings 28 aligned with the lower bearings 28for longitudinal guidance of such upper push rods 26, 27'.

It is to be noted that in the absence of any restraint, when theassociated lower push rods 26, 27 are reciprocated by the associatedcams and cam rollers 15, 24 and 16, 25, due to the deformation of thelinks 30, 31, no motion will be imparted to the upper push rods 26, 27

The upper end of each of the push rods 26, 27' protruding from theassociated upper bearing 28 carries an associated support 41, 42 towhich the ends of an actuating lever 38 are pivotally connected as at36, 37. The lever is pivotally connected as at its mid point as at c toa tongue 39 depending from an associated harness 10. Connected to thelower end of tongue 39 at its pivot c is one end of a coil spring 40,the other end of which is secured to a fixed support d so that the coilspring 40 will normally urge the harness 10 downwardly to its lowposition.

Positioned on each side of the deformable link portions 30, 31 is anassociated slide assembly 43, 44, each of which comprises a movableslide 45, 46 and an associated fixed member 47, 48. In order to changethe position of the movable slides 45, 46, an associated electromagnet49, 50 is provided.

Each of the slides 45, 46, in the illustrative embodiment is movablebetween two positions. In the. position of the slide 46 shown on theleft side of FIG. 1, the slide 46 will be in a path of movement of themid portion of links 34, 35 to retain the latter in their extendedposition. In the position shown on the right side of FIG. 1, the slide45 will be displaced from the path of movement of the mid portion oflinks 32, 33 so that the latter may flex or deform to their collapsedposition shown.

Thus, in the position of the slide 45 shown in FIG. 1, since the links32, 33 are free to pivot relatively to each other, vertical movement ofpush rod 26 will have no effect on the position of upper push rod 26.

The sideway movement of the slides 45, 46 is illustrated by the doubleheaded arrow 51 shown in FIG. 2. This sideway movement is accomplishedby means of the solenoid of the associated electromagnet 49, 50.

Desirably, the motion is uni-directional in that when the electromagnetis energized the associated slide 45, 46 is positively moved forward,say to the position of the slide 46 shown in FIG. 1 to prevent flexingof the deformable portion 31 of the assembly. When the electromagnet isde-energized, a spring (not shown) retracts the slide, say to theposition of the slide 45 shown in FIG. 1.

Control of the electromagnets is effected by the control device 19. Inthe illustrative embodiment such device comprises a punched roll, cardor tape arrangement 52, the punched holes corresponding to the desiredweaving pattern. On one side of the punched card or tape 52 is a sourceof light 53 and on the other side is a light sensitive device such as aphotocell 54. If there is a hole in the card or tape 52 between thesource of light 53 and the photocell '54, the photocell 54 will beenergized and an electric current will be created which is fed throughlead 55 to an amplifier 56 and then through lead 57 to the electromagnet49, for example, to actuate the latter at desired intervals. A similarlight source and photocell 53, 54 and associated amplifier 56 isprovided for the electromagnet 50.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, inasmuch as cam 15 is already in the highposition, and during one rotation of the loom drive shaft, because ofthe previously mentioned speed reduction of two to one, moves withonehalf speed with respect to the loom drive shaft, during the next pickof the loom the cam 15 will move to its low position where the cam 16 islocated and will then again reach its high position on the next pick.

In order to obtain a high position of the harness during the nextfollowing pick position, the harness through its linkage 27, 27' must beplaced in the high position. This cannot be accomplished by the pushrods 26, 26 during the next following pick, because of the form of thecams and the speed of rotation and can only take place in the pickfollowing the next pick.

In order that the push rods 27, 27' can produce a high position of theharness in the future, the flexible portion or linkage 31 must bestilfened This requires that the punch card or tape 52 and theelectromagnet 50 must have a hole positioned between the light source 53and the photocell 54 so that the electromagnet 50 can be energized andthe slide 46 moved to its effective position. During the now followinglift position of the pusher rod 27, the interconnecting links 34, 35will be supported by abutment against slide 45 so that they will remainin their extended position. As a result, the motion of the lower pushrod 27 will cause a corresponding motion of the upper push rod 27 andthe harness 10.

Inasmuch'as the slide members 45, 46 are firmly supported by the fixedmembers 47, 48 and solely act as an abutment, the slide members may berelatively small in size and light in weight so that the magnet can alsobe small and can rapidly actuate the associated slide'member.Furthermore, the slide need only act as an abutment for one of the linkmembers, illustratively the lower link member 32, 34 in the presentembodiment which means that the slide need merely be moved the width ofsuch link member to be out of the path of movement thereof.

It is to be noted that if the push rods 27, 27' are in their highposition, and during the next following loom pick, the harness 10 isstill in its high position, the slide 46 is free of forces thereagainstso that it may readily be moved to its retracted position is required bythe weave position.

With the arrangement above described, where two cams and two controlmechanisms are employed, no locking arrangement is required to retainthe harness in high position and a more versatile weaving pattern can bedeveloped. Furthermore, through a reduction in speed of the cams withrespect to the speed of rotation of the drive shaft of the loom, i.e.,two to one reduction, a more quiet operation with less wear is achieved.

It is to be noted that one of the links 33, 35 has at its lower end anose 58, 59 which serves as a support for the pair of links 32, 33 and34, 35. This prevents a snapping over in the opposite direction of theassociated pair of links when the machine is operated quickly. In otherwords, engagement of the nose 59 of link 35 with the link 34 limitsmovement of the links to the left beyond the vertical position.

In FIGS. 3 to 6 inclusive, four different positions of the controlmechanism 30 is illustrated.

In FIG. 3 the cam is shown in its lower position. as a result, the upperand lower push rods 26', 26

will fall to their lower position and the deformable portion 30 betweenthe lower and upper push rods 26, 26' will be in its fully extended orstretched position.

Assuming that in the next half turn of the cam 15 the program calls fora high position of the harness 10, the slide 45 will be moved withrespect to the link 32 to serve as a support therefor. Thus, if in thenext half position of the cam 15, the rod 26 is lifted, motion will betransmitted through the stiffened linkage 30 to the upper push rod 26'.

In FIG. 4 the half turn has been exceeded by several degrees and thedownward movement of the push rod 26 has already been initiated.

Assuming that the program for the next following motion of cam 15 callsfor a low position of the harness, this can be preplanned as shown inFIG. 4 that the slide 45 is moved from its supporting position. Asdiagrammatically shown in FIG. 4, since the slide 45 has been moved fromthe supporting plate it is not shown.

In FIG. 5 the culmination point of the motion following the motionpreviously mentioned of cam 15 is illustratively shown. In this positionthe slide 46 is not shown since it is out of the plan of the drawing.Due to the collapse of the deformable portion 30, the upper member 41 ofrod 26' is in its lower position which is the same as that of FIG. 3despite the fact that the lower push rod 26 is in its high position.

Assuming that during the next following motion of the cam 15, it isdesired to move the associated harness 10 to the high position, thepreparation of such positioning is shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the cam 15 hasalready rotated approximately 30 beyond the position of FIG. 5 and thedownward movement of the push rod 26 has already been initiated. Theslide 45 can be moved by its associated electromagnet 49 to its lockingposition. It cannot assume this position at this moment since the link32 is still in the way. However, the slide 45 can be urged toward itsoperative position and as soon as the link 32 is clear of the slide, theslide 45 will move to its final position to retain the linkage 30 in itsextended position.

Thus, the system can readily be prepared for its next position while theequipment is operating.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the harness (not shown) isactuated by means of lower push rod 74 and upper push rod 75, the pushrod 74 being actuated by a cam (not shown) similar to cam 15. The cam isin its low position with respect to FIG. 7 and its high position withrespect to FIG. 8. The lower and upper rods 74, 75 are connected bylinks 72, 73 pivoted together as at 77. The links are pivotallyconnected to the adjacent ends of the push rods 74, 75 as at 78, 79 thusdefining a deformable region 65. This deformable region 65 operates inthe same manner as the deformable region 30, for example, of FIG. 1.Thus, rotation of the cam will efiect upward movement of the lower pushrod 74 which will be transmitted to the upper push rod 75 when thedeformable region is in its locked extended position as, shown in FIG.7.

The control of the deformable region is elfected by means of a slideassembly 60 which comprises a fixed member 61 and a slide member 62. Anelectromagnet 63, which is controlled by a suitable control devicecorresponding to the device 19 of FIG. 1, has an armature 67 to whichone end of a rod 66 is connected. The fixed member 61 is mounted on asupport 64 and has a bore 6.1 through which the rod 66 extends. Thelower end of rod 66 mounts the slide member 62 which moves on a bearing68 carried by support 64. The slide member is normally urged downwardlyby a coil spring 69 connected at one end to the rod 66 and at its otherend to an arm 70 carried by the support 64.

The spring 69 normally urges the slide 62 downwardly to its inactiveposition with respect to the linkage 72, 73

and in such inactive position a free space 71 is provided between thefixed member 61 and the slide 62.

The linkage 72, 7.3 is movable between the position shown in FIG. 7 inwhich it is extended, to the folded or flexed position shown in FIG. 8.Secured to member 72 is a nose or projecting portion 81. When the magnet63 is energized and the slide 62 is moved upwardly against the forceexerted by spring 69 in the direction of the arrows 80, the space 71 isclosed. In this position 62 of the slide 62, the nose portion 81 reactsagainst the surface 82 of the slide to prevent fiexure of the elements72, 73.

With the slide 62 in the position shown at 62', if the push rod 74 islifted, since the flexible linkage 65 is restrained from bending, theupper push rod 75 will be lifted.

It is to be noted that the lateral forces exerted by the nose 81 will betransferred through the slide 62 (at its position 62') against thebearing 68 which is carried by the rigid support 64. Consequently, therod 66 does not bear any load. In the further upward movement of pushrod 74 the surface 82 will still carry the load which will then betransferred to the surface 83 of the rigid member 61 so again the rod 66is not under any load. Consequently, when the magnet 63 is de-energized,the spring 69 will quickly move the slide 62 downwardly to its inactiveposition.

If, however, when push rod 74 is raised, the elements are in theposition shown in full lines in FIGS. 7 and 8, i.e., in the downwardinactive position of the slide 62, the nose 81 will not have anysupport. As a result, the force exerted on lower push rod 74 will causeflexing of the links 72, 73 which results from the fact that the nose 81passes through the open area 71 and the links will assume the foldedposition shown in FIG. 8.

If, starting from the position shown in full lines in FIG. 8, in thenext cam motion, a rising motion of the harness is required, this can beinitiated in the flexed position shown in FIG. 8. Thus, the slide 62 ismoved from its lowermost position to its effective position shown at 62'in which the surface 82 of the slide forms a continuous plane with thesurface 83 of fixed member 61. This is accomplished by energization ofthe magnet 63.

Although the nose 81 is apparently trapped between the slide at 62' andthe fixed member 61, it can readily free itself from this position andthe flexible linkage 65 can assume the position shown in FIG. 7.

Thus, starting with the position shown in FIG. 8, assuming that theslide is now in the position shown at 62', despite the fact that themagnet 63 is energized, the weight of the push rods will cause the nose81 to ride over the top surface 84 of the slide, pushing the slidedownwardly to the position shown in full lines at 62 so that thedeformable portion 65 will assume its extended position as shown in FIG.7. As soon as the nose 81 moves clear of the surface 84 the slide 62will move back to the position show at 62' by reason of the energizedmagnet 63.

It is clear therefore, that for control of the length of the deformableportion 65, the period of energization or de-energization of the magnet63 is not important. The slide 62 can take the next desired controlposition even if the previously initiated position is opposite to theone desired. Thus, the future position of the deformable region 65 canbe predetermined during the previous operating motion. This is extremelyimportant because the control mechanism is designed for fast operatingtextile machinery where only fractions of seconds are available betweenthe different motions.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a construction similar to that shownin FIG. 1, for example, is employed.

Thus, in an embodiment in which there are a large number of harnesses,one behind the other, in order to obtain a clear shed opening throughwhich the filling may pass, the front harnesses have to have a lowerlift than the rear harnesses.

In order readily to adjust the extent of the rise and fall of theharness, an additional lever 85 is provided as shown in FIG. 9. Lever 85is pivotally mounted at one end as at 86 and has a tongue 39 pivotallyconnected at one end thereto adjacent the end 86 and pivotally connectedat its other end to the lever 38' as at c. The harness 10' has a tongue88 connected thereto at one end and connected at its other end to one ormore of the openings 87 in lever 85. For smaller lifting and lowering ofthe harness, the openings 87 on the left side of the lever 85 would beused and for larger raising and lowering the openings 87 on the rightside would be used.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions, and manyapparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A control device for a machine having movable thread guide meanscomprising a harness having a plurality of heddles, a tongue dependingfrom said harness, an actuating lever, means operatively connecting saidlever to said depending tongue, cam means, means to rotate said cammeans, a transmission element pivotally connected to said lever at eachend thereof, each transmission element comprising a pusher rod having adeformable portion between its ends, means to vary the length of saiddeformable portion, each of said transmission elements being interposedbetween an associated cam means and the actuating lever, whereby uponreciprocation of each transmission element by rotation of the associatedcam means, depending upon the setting of said deformable portion of eachtransmission element, the harness may be moved between a high and lowposition and a position intermediate of the high and low position,

2. The control device set forth in claim 1 in which said pusher rod hastwo end portions and two intermediate portions, each pivoted to eachother and to an associated end portion, said intermediate portionsdefining the deformable portion, said deformable portion being movablelaterally outwardly in one direction to change the effective length ofsaid rod by the force produced between the cam and the thread guidemeans, and a stop associated with said deformable portion and movableinto alignment therewith to restrain lateral movement thereof.

3. The control device set forth in claim 1 in which said lever ispivotally connected between its ends to said tongue.

4. The control device set forth in claim 1 in which a second lever ispivotally mounted at one end to a fixed support, said second leverhaving a plurality of openings along the length thereof, said tonguebeing pivotally connected at one end to said harness and pivotallyconnected at its other end to one of the openings in said second lever,a second tongue is pivotally connected at one end to said actuatinglever and at its other end to said second lever between the fixedpivotal mount thereof and the opening to which said tongue is pivotallyconnected.

5. The control device set forth in claim 1 in which resilient means areprovided normally urging said harness to its lowermost position.

6. The control device set forth in claim 2 in which a slide ispositioned in the path of movement of the pivotal junction between saidintermediate portions of said transmission element, said end portionsand said intermediate portions being in substantially longitudinalalignment when the pivotal portion between the intermediate portions isrestrained by said slide and an electromagnet operably connected to saidslide to actuate the latter.

7. The control device set forth in claim 6 in which resilient meansnormally urge said slide out of the path of said pivotal junction, saidelectromagnet when energized moving said slide in the path of movementof said intermediate junction.

8. The control device set forth in claim 2 in which an abutment memberis carried by one of said intermediate portions adjacent the pivotaljunction therebetween, a fixed member having an abutment surface, aslide having an abutment surface, means to move said slide between oneposition in which it is in juxtaposition with said fixed member todefine a continuous abutment surface, and a second position in which theabutment surface of said slide and said fixed member are spaced, todefine a clearance space for the abutment member carried by one of saidintermediate portions.

9. A control device for a transmission having movable thread guidemeans, comprising a vertically movable harness, a tongue depending fromsaid harness, a lever pivotally connected between its ends to the lowerend of said tongue, resilient means operatively connected to saidharness to urge the latter to its lowermost position, a pair oftransmission elements each comprising an upper push rod and a lower pushrod, means maintaining said push rods in longitudinal alignment, meanspivotally connecting the upper ends of the upper push rods to the endsof said lever, a pair of links defining a deformable portion betweenadjacent ends of each of said upper and lower push rods, said linksbeing pivoted to each other and pivoted at their free ends to the lowerand upper end of the associated upper push rod and lower push rod, aslide member associated with each of said pair of links and means tomove said slide member into alignment with said links to restrain thelatter in substantially vertical position and out of alignment with saidlinks to permit bending of said links.

10. A control device for a machine having movable thread guide meanscomprising a hardness having a plurality of heddles, means mounting saidharness for reciprocable movement, a pair of transmission elements eachoperatively connected to said harness and independently reactingthereagainst, each transmission element comprising a pusher memberhaving a deformable portion between its ends, means to vary the lengthof each deformable portion, and actuating means reacting against each ofsaid pusher members to reciprocate the latter, whereby uponreciprocation of each transmission element by the associated actuatingmeans, depending upon the setting of the associated deformable portionof each transmission element, the harness may be moved between a highand low position.

11. A control device for a machine having movable thread guide meanscomprising a harness having a plurality of heddles, means mounting saidharness for reciprocable movement, an actuating lever, means operativelyconnecting said lever to said harness to reciprocate the latter, a pairof transmission elements each operatively connected to said lever ateach end thereof, each transmission element comprising a pusher rodhaving a deforable portion between its ends, means to vary the length ofeach of said deformable portions and actuating means reacting againsteach of said pusher rods to reciprocate the latter, whereby uponreciprocation of each transmission element by the associated actuatingmeans, depending uponthe setting of the associated deformable portion ofeach transmisison element, the harness may be moved between a high andlow position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,980,145 4/1961 Herard et a1.139-80 3,080,894 3/1963 Morrison 139-80 3,265,096 8/1966 Zangerle et al139-55 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,440,871 4/1966 France.

925,279 3/ 1955 Germany.

825,221 12/1959 Great Britain.

323,522 12/1934 Italy.

601,281 1/1960 Italy.

246,963 11/ 1947 Switzerland.

JAMES KEE CHI, Primary Examiner

